The Experience of being the 'Other'

Choose one of the following topics to discuss. Reflect upon your chosen topic in a one- to two-page essay. Based on the topic you choose, describe what the experience was like, how it made you feel and think, and what you learned from it. .
1.Explore a time when you felt like "other"—when you were made to feel invisible, excluded, or too visible.
2.Explore a time when you perceived someone or some group as "other" (when you noticed someone or some group was outside or excluded).
3.Explore a time when a connection was made between you and an "other."

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Experiencing being 'The Other'

While I have not been familiar with the theoretical concept of 'the Other' in relation to identity formation, according to how Clarke (2008) defined it, it is likely that I have been defining part of who I am in relation to a perceived 'other' either as a person, as part of a culture, or a social group. Clarke (2008) writes - ", the notion of identity as shaped not just in relation to some other, but to the Other, to another culture. The notion of cultural identity becomes much stronger and ﬁrmer when we deﬁne our 'selves' in relation to a cultural Other. We start then to see ideas around 'ways of life', 'us' and 'them', and this is at the heart of racism, hatred and exclusion." When I travelled to Montreal, Canada, for example, I was immediately aware of how different the locals pronounced their words, how they talked and acknowledged each other as well as the 'Frenchness' of the place - in the their food, the ambiance of cafes and restaurants, the fashion worn by the locals, etc. It is essentially an exercise of comparing their way of life to mine - they were the 'other' to myself and the community I come from. While this was not a case of hatred of envy, just an observation of difference, it was still an exercise of defining the self by coming up with my difference and that of the place and community I come from in comparison to the 'Other' - the city of, and the people from Montreal.

Becoming the 'Other'

But one of the most enlightening and at the same time, a bit disturbing experience I have gone through is being the 'Other' in the eyes of another culture. When I was growing up, I have made friends with a new student in school. His family were newly immigrated to the US from the Philippines. ...

Solution Summary

The solution provides information, assistance and advise in tackling the task (see above) on the topic of being 'the Other' through a situational example as through an 'experience'. An outline is suggested for an essay and resources listed.

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Ethnocentrism and its affects on individuals, societies, and multinational corporations

Using a movie or TV show that effectively communicates the culture, values and norms of a society which is different from your own. Ideally this movie or TV show would be a foreign film complete with subtitles. The movie or TV show should provide you with a glimpse of what life is like in another culture. The process of watching this movie or TV show should provide you with a unique cultural experience as African American . This movie / TV show and use your reactions as part of your response to the following topic: Define ethnocentrism and how it affects individuals, societies, and multinational corporations. Your paper should provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism. You should use your cultural (African American) experience of watching the selected movie or TV show to discuss the affect of ethnocentrism on individuals, societies and multinational corporations. However, do not let your personal experiences with other cultures be the focal point of this paper. The focal point of the paper is your cultural experience watching the selected movie or TV show and then your comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism.

Further guidance:

1. Recognize the causes and effects of social inequality, including racism, sexism, and systems of social stratification.
Examine social behavior and its influences.
2. Remember the assignment is about ethnocentrism and its affects on individuals, societies, and multinational corporations, so in viewing a TV show or foreign movie, keep that utmost in mind.